Chapter 157: Pardon Me
Xiao Chengxuan asked urgently, "You caught him? Where is he?"
Lian Zhou glanced at his master and said respectfully, "Yun Cheng and the others have the man under control. We are only awaiting your orders."
Xiao Chengxuan saw that Lian Zhou had indeed come alone, with no one else behind him. Not knowing who had been captured, his heart leaped into his throat.
"Awaiting my orders? He isn’t dead?!"
’Those are the Death Warriors I spent so much effort and resources to cultivate!’
’Even if they were captured, it shouldn’t be an issue.’
A hint of surprise appeared on Lian Zhou’s face.
"Why would you ask that, Your Highness?"
Xiao Chengxuan’s heart sank. ’This is bad,’ he thought.
He explained, "Well... I was just speculating. Anyone who dares to ambush the Princely Heir here must have come on a do-or-die mission. If they failed, they would know there’s no good end for them. It’s not out of the question that they’d take their own lives."
Shen Yanchuan said coolly, "You seem to know a great deal about such matters, Your Highness."
Xiao Chengxuan grew even more awkward.
’He felt that Shen Yanchuan’s words were laced with insinuation.’
Lian Zhou smiled. "Your Highness is as perceptive as a seer. The assassin is indeed a Death Warrior. However, when he tried to take his own life, he was a step too slow, so he’s still alive."
Xiao Chengxuan’s pupils contracted. His heart leaped into his throat once more!
The hand inside his sleeve clenched into a tight fist, and it took every ounce of his willpower to keep his expression from changing.
"Oh? Then bring him here at once for a thorough interrogation!"
He feigned extreme anger.
"I want to see for myself just who would be so audacious!"
Lian Zhou hesitated for a moment before saying with some difficulty, "I’m afraid... that’s not possible at the moment. In order to stop the Death Warrior, one of our men struck him directly, stabbing him in the left side of his chest. He’s unconscious and has yet to wake up."
Which meant, naturally, that he couldn’t be interrogated.
Xiao Chengxuan’s throat felt dry. He had never imagined a situation like this could occur.
Shen Yanchuan said, "Guard him well. It won’t be too late to question him once he’s awake."
Lian Zhou clasped his fist. "Yes, sir!"
Xiao Chengxuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.
’If the man died, that would be one thing. But if they managed to save him, then—’
"Keep searching," Shen Yanchuan’s tone was level, yet it was laced with a bone-chilling cold, as if tempered in ice. "Scour every inch of this place. Even if you only find corpses, I want them brought back whole!"
"Yes, sir!" Lian Zhou replied respectfully.
Only then did Shen Yanchuan turn back to Xiao Chengxuan, his expression softening slightly.
"It is getting late, and Your Highness must be busy with many affairs. I won’t keep you any longer."
Xiao Chengxuan’s facade was on the verge of cracking. "It is no trouble. Had I not invited you here, perhaps this incident would not have occurred. I feel deeply apologetic. If we do not find the true culprit, I fear I will not be able to rest easy..."
"Those men were after me. If anything, I am the one who has implicated you, Your Highness. But please, rest assured. I will drag the mastermind out from behind the curtain. When I do, I will be sure to inform you of the good news."
A sudden chill ran down Xiao Chengxuan’s spine.
He looked up instinctively, only to meet the unfathomably deep eyes of the man before him.
Just then, another person came to report.
"Your Highness! Chu Hospital Director has arrived!"
Hearing the name, Xiao Chengxuan froze. "Chu Qiyuan? Why is he here?"
As he spoke, a slightly stooped figure came into view.
The man had graying hair and wore a grey robe. He appeared to be around sixty years old. Carrying a medicine box, he approached with slow, trembling steps.
Seemingly having overheard Xiao Chengxuan, the old man bowed slightly and replied, "This humble official came under the orders of the Eldest Princess. The road was muddy and hard to travel, which is why I’ve arrived late. I hope the Princely Heir will forgive my tardiness."
Chu Qiyuan was the Hospital Director of the Imperial Hospital. He had a proud and aloof personality, but his superb medical skills had allowed him to hold his position securely for many years, earning him great prestige.
Most people would find it impossible to secure his services.
Xiao Chengxuan was surprised at first, but then he recalled how much the Eldest Princess doted on Ye Chutang. It was understandable that she would go to the trouble of summoning Chu Qiyuan after hearing what had happened.
Shen Yanchuan stepped slightly to the side. "She is inside. Please, go ahead."
Chu Qiyuan nodded.
Shen Yanchuan took a long stride and followed him in.
Seeing him about to leave as well, Xiao Chengxuan was taken aback. "Hey, wait—"
"The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet is fast approaching, and Your Highness has many matters to attend to. Please, return at your earliest convenience. I am sufficient to handle things here." Shen Yanchuan paused and turned his head slightly. "Take care, Your Highness. I won’t see you out."
Xiao Chengxuan’s eyelid twitched, and the rest of his words caught in his throat.
He stood rooted to the spot for a moment, his heart a knot of conflict.
’Leave? But they still have one of my men!’
’Stay? The fifteenth of the eighth month is almost here. My Imperial Father has entrusted me with great responsibilities, and I truly have too much to do to afford any delays.’
After weighing his options, Xiao Chengxuan gritted his teeth and stared at the tightly shut door.
"Let’s go!"
...
After her wound was redressed, Ye Chutang lay back down, a wave of drowsiness washing over her.
However, just as she was about to drift off, she heard footsteps outside again.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
Princess Qingyang went to open the door, her voice full of pleasant surprise. "You’re finally here!"
As she led the person into the room, she said, "I just knew the Eldest Princess would send for you! Please, come take a look at her, quickly!"
Having helped redress Ye Chutang’s wound, Princess Qingyang knew how severe her injury was and had been worried sick.
Seeing Chu Qiyuan now was a great relief.
Princess Qingyang led Chu Qiyuan to the bedside and said with a frown, "Doctor Chen and Sun Taiyi have already taken Chutang’s pulse and are preparing her medicine now. But she lost a lot of blood and her injury is serious. Please, you must examine her carefully."
Chu Qiyuan unhurriedly sat on the stool by the bed. He opened his medicine box, took out a pulse pillow, and rested his fingers on Ye Chutang’s wrist. Closing his eyes, he began to carefully take her pulse.
Ye Chutang sighed.
Chu Qiyuan’s fingers trembled.
But the movement was so subtle, and with his eyes closed, no one noticed.
After a long moment, Chu Qiyuan opened his eyes.
Princess Qingyang quickly asked, "How is she?"
Chu Qiyuan’s brow furrowed.
Princess Qingyang grew worried. "What is it? Is her condition poor?"
"Not at all." Chu Qiyuan shook his head. "It’s just... this humble official rushed up the mountain in too much of a hurry. I must rest for a moment to ensure an accurate reading."
Princess Qingyang was left speechless.
Chu Qiyuan was famous for being eccentric and fussy, but no one could do anything about it. After all, his skills were undeniable and his seniority was unmatched.
Shen Yanchuan glanced at Chu Qiyuan, then his gaze swept over Ye Chutang’s face, a subtle flicker in his eyes.
"In that case, we will wait outside. Please, rest for a moment, and then you can check again."
...
CREAK—
The door closed, and the room fell silent once more.
Ye Chutang opened her eyes and said with a hint of exasperation,
"You woke me up."
Chu Qiyuan immediately shot up from the stool, bowed, and clasped his hands in a salute, offering an awkward yet polite smile.
"My apologies, my apologies. It couldn’t be helped, could it?"